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ARTISTIC FOCUS

​I have long held a fascination with the layers of historical minutiae, both natural and human-made, that imprint themselves over time on our urban environment - peeling posters, chipping paint, patinas, rust, grunge, decaying infrastructure, random shadows and human-made marks.

​These seemingly inert and mundane urban markings, tell the accrued stories of our streets, neighbourhoods, buildings and houses and the people who interact with them, intentionally or otherwise. 

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Each element on its own is perhaps meaningless, but sometimes these elements randomly come together to produce a type of visual magic, an animism only possible through an unconscious collective contribution through time. ​Hidden in plain sight to most, I take joy in collecting these self-contained scenes and using them as inspiration in my pieces.

In my paintings, I aim to reproduce this historical strata through applying many layers of paint, mixed media and textural elements, focusing on composition, shape and line-work. I gravitate toward a scribbly, scruffy and sometimes chaotic style - tapping into my "inner kindergartener". 

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Sometimes the layers holistically form larger narratives,  landscapes, cityscapes or scenes, and sometimes they remain undefined - I like to let the canvas decide.

 

Like the scenes on our streets and internally within us, as a biproduct my works also reflect a range of human psychological states and emotions - some pieces channelling play and light-heartedness, some works a numb indifference, and others a darkness and despair.​

ABOUT 

b. 1978, New Zealand

Lives and works in Sydney, Australia

Growing up in an education-focused family, I was lucky enough to have opportunities to explore my interests from a young age, starting with piano lessons from age four.

 

Being a shy, sensitive and socially-awkward kid, I gravitated towards creativity as a way to express what my words could not.  I threw myself into all the art forms I could get my hands on including drawing, painting, music performance, composition, writing, dance and drama. 

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After initially graduating with an undergrad degree in Psychology and Education in 2000, I returned to the arts from 2004-2005, studying painting and design at the wonderfully eclectic TLC arts school in Wellington.

​Upon moving to Australia in 2005, my creativity bubbled away in various forms (song writing, blog writing, graphic, multimedia and web design, pole and lyrical dance), behind the scenes while I forged a corporate career in Learning & Development and Knowledge Management. 

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In 2015 I trained as a Creativity Coach and supported other creatives to develop their artistic pursuits. 

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In 2020, during the pandemic I rekindled my love of painting, and now I can't imagine it not being a regular part of my week - art classes, a community studio, and solo painting.  

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Outside of painting, corporate life and graduate psychology study, you can find me playing around on the piano, learning about tech, walking, doing pilates, connecting with friends and watching sci-fi/paranormal shows.... 

And drinking lots of Earl Grey tea.​​​​

CREATIVE CV

Painting: Group Exhibitions/ Submissions
  • ​2024: 
    • Glebe Art Society Exhibition (1 work)
    • HartStart Group Exhibition, Balmain Watch House, Sydney (8 works)
    • Drummoyne Art Society Exhibition, Sydney (2 works)

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  • 2023:

    • Lennox Street Studios Exhibition and Open weekend, Sydney (6 works)

    • Glebe Art Society Exhibition (1 work)

    • HartStart Group Exhibition, Balmain Watch House, Sydney (5 works)

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  • 2022:

    • Sydney HartStart Group Exhibition, Balmain Watch House, Sydney (3 works)

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  • Earlier:

    • 2005 - TLC Art Exhibition (7 works)​​​​​​

Creative Activities and Performance
  • 2024: 
    • Painting
    • Web and intranet design

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  • 2023:

    • Art of Flow Art Retreat

    • Glebe Art Walk

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  • 2016-2020:

    • Pole and lyrical dance group performances - Annual Bottoms' Up show

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  • 2014-2018:
    Creativity Coaching Business:

    • Individual coaching

    • Designed and facilitated group workshops and courses - custom designed workshops and regular 'The Artist Way' 12 week workshops

    • Blog Writing for Creative Womens' Circle

 

  • Earlier:

    • Performed original band compositions in 'Battle of the Bands at Victoria University of Wellington

    • Violin and vocal lessons and performances

    • Orchestras, choirs, drama group performances

Creative Education and Training
  • 2020 - Present:  Weekly abstract painting classes - HartStart, Sydney, Australia

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  • 2012 - 2013: Graduate Certificate of Multimedia Design, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia

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  • 2016: RMIT Exhibition Design course (8 week part-time course)

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  • 2004 - 2005: Diploma of Art & Creativity, TLC, Wellington, New Zealand

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  • 1982 - 1996: Piano lessons, grading to Grade 7 Trinity School of Music (from age 4-17)​​​​

Creative Communities/Memberships

© 2024 by Bronya Wilkins. 

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